Door hinge and stop device



Jan. 6, 1970 c. E. GUTSHALL 3,488,667

DOOR HINGE AND STOP DEVICE Filed Oct. 2, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 [7 6ar w lall Jan. 6, 1970 c. E. GUTSHALL 3,4@,667

DOOR HINGE AND STOP DEVICE Filed Oct. 2 1967 v2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lip/[Illa 93a, 1 Ckar ksfjlzz w United States Patent 3,488,667 DOOR HINGE AND STOP DEVICE Charles E. Gutshall, Roselle, Ill., assignor to 1111015 Tool Works Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 2, 1967, Ser. No. 672,213 Int. Cl. Ed 11/10 US. Cl. 16139 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a device for hingedly connecting a door to a cabinet such as a washing machine cabinet for permitting movement of the door between an open and closed position. The device comprises a bushing or grommet having a non-circular bore through a shank defined by resilient and expandable walls, which grommet is adapted to be mounted in an aperture in the cabinet. Another grommet or bushing is mounted in the door for movement therewith and a pin is connected with the second grommet and has a non-circular shank projecting into the first grommet. The construction is such that upon movement of the door from the closed position, corners of the non-circular pin engage and expand the walls of the non-circular shank which then spring back when the door is opened a predetermined amount, for example 90, and resiliently lock the door in the open position.

The present invention relates to a novel hinge device, and more specifically to a novel hinge structure for mounting a door in a suitable opening.

While devices incorporating features of the present invention may be adapted for mounting various doors in many different types of installations, the present disclosure will be facilitated by describing a device particularly suitable for mounting a door in a washing machine cabinet. As will be understood, doors in top loading washing machines are disposed in a generally horizontal position when closed. In order to load or unload the machines it is necessary to move the doors to a generally upstanding open position. In many instances it is desired that the door be retained in the open position so that a worker may use both hands in loading or unloading the machine.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel hinged device suitable for use with doors such as washing machine doors and the like and adapted pivotally to support such doors for movement between open and closed positions and to releasably lock or stop such doors in one or both of such positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel hinge device of the above described type which is of simple, economical and rugged construction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel hinge device of the above described type which permits easy and economical assembly and installation of a door.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel hinge construction of the above described type capable of functioning properly in adverse environmental conditions such as found when used in connection with washing machines.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a washing machine having a door supported by hinge devices incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 22 in FIG. 4;

3,488,667 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge device incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the manner in which the hinge device functions during movement of the door between the open and closed position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 2 and taken generally along line 8-8 in FIG. 9 and showing a modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary partial sectional view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the hinge device of FIGS. 8-10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an end portion of the righthand part of the hinge device shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary partial sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 9 but showing parts of the hinge device in a position during movement of the door between open and closed positions; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line of 14--14 in FIG. 13.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a hinge device 20 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 through 7. As previously indicated the hinge device may be adapted for mounting doors in various installations. One such installation comprises a washing machine 22 shown generally in FIG. 1, which machine comprises a cabinet 24 and a door 26. The cabinet has a top panel 28 with an opening therein defined by a downwardly extending flange 30 as shown in FIGS. 2. and 4-7. The door 26 is shaped to fit within the opening and also includes a downwardly extending marginal flange 32 in opposed spaced relationship with respect to the flange 30'. Axially aligned hinge devices 20 extend. between opposed opposite portions of the cabinet and door flanges 30 and 32, adjacent a back edge of the door as shown in FIG. 1. These hinge devices pivotally support the door for movement between the closed position shown in solid lines and the raised position shown in dotted lines. Furthermore, the hinge devices are constructed as will be described in detail below for releasably locking the door in the raised or open position.

Each of the hinge devices 20 comprises first and second grommets or bushings 34 and 36 and a connecting pivot pin 38. The grommets or bushings 34 and 36 are preferably molded from a tough, resilient plastic such as nylon. The pivot pin 38 is formed from a relatively hard material which could be a suitable plastic but is preferably metal.

The bushing 34 is adapted to be assembled in an opening 40 formed in the cabinet flange 30. This bushing has an elongated shank portion 42 insertable through the opening 40 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. A head portion 44 is formed integrally with a trailing end of the shank portion 42 and presents laterally projecting shoulders 46 adapted to conform to and engage the outer surface of the flange 30. Lugs or shoulder elements 48 are formed on and project laterally from opposite sides of the shank portion 42 and in opposed relationship to the shoulders 46 on the head for engaging behind the panel or flange 30 and retaining the bushing 34 in assembled relationship therewith. In the embodiment shown, the shank portion 42 has a non-circular or rectangular overall crosssectional configuration as does the opening 40 so that the bushing is retained against turning within the opening. The lugs or shoulder elements 48 have inclined cam surfaces facing generally toward the entering end of the shank portion and this in combination with the resilient nature of the lug material and of the side walls of the shank portion, enables the lugs to be snapped through the opening 40 during assembly of the bushing.

The bushing 34 is formed with a circular pin receiving opening 50 through the head portion 44 thereof, which opening is axially aligned with and communicates with an elongated opening or bore 52 extending through the shank portion 42. The bore 52, as is shown best in FIG. 5, has a non-circular and preferably substantially square cross-sectional configuration. In other words, the shank portion 42 has a first pair of opposed generally parallel flat side walls 54 and 56 from which the lugs 48 project and a second pair of substantially parallel generally flat side walls 58 and 60 joining the first mentioned side walls and combining therewith to define the passageway or bore 52. These side walls have a predetermined thickness and resiliency along longitudinally extending mid portions thereof and joint each other at relatively thick rigid corner sections 62, 64, 66 and 68 for the purpose described below.

The bushing or grommet 36 also has a shank portion 70 insertable through an opening 72 in the door flange 32. The shank portion 70 and opening 72 have complementary non-circular and preferably rectangular configurations for preventing the grommet or bushing from turning or rotating in the opening 72 relative to the door. A head portion 74 is formed at the trailing end of the shank portion 70 and is provided with laterally extending shoulders 76 for conforming to and engaging the outer surface of the flange 32. The bushing 36- is provided with resilient shoulder or lug elements 78 at opposite sides thereof similar to the previously described lug elements 48. The lug elements 78 are adapted to be snapped through the opening 72 for engaging the panel or flange 32 oppositely from the head portion 74 as shown in FIG. 2.

The bushing 36 is formed with a central passageway or bore 80 which extends through both its head and shank portions and has a rectangular or non-circular cross-sectional configuration complementary to that of the pin member 38 as will be discussed more fully below. The

portion of the passageway extending through the shank portion is defined by opposite side or leg members 82 and 84 which combine together to provide the shank portion and which respectively terminate in inturned spaced apart flanges 86 and 88 adapted to engage and retain the pin member.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the bushings 34 and 36 are constructed so that they are adapted to be inserted in opposite directions through the flanges 30 and 32. Thus, during assembly of the structure, the bushing 34 is inserted through the opening 4t] from left to right as viewed in FIG. 4 while the bushing 36 is inserted through the opening 72 from right to left. The arrangement is such that the head portions 44 and 74 of the bushings have end faces disposed in closely adjacent substantially parallel relationship. These end faces may serve as abutting bearing surfaces during opening and closing of the door.

The pin member 38 has an elongated shank 88 adapted to extend through the passageway 80 in the bushing 36 and well into the passageway 52 in the shank portion of the bushing 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the overall length of the pin member 38 is similar to but preferably slightly less than the combined lengths of the bushing members 34 and 36. During assembly of the structure, the bushings are snapped into their respective openings in the manner described above whereupon the pin member 38 is inserted through the bushing 36 into the bushing 34.

The shank of the pin member 38 has a non-circular or rectangular cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the passageway through the bushing 36. Preferably, this is the same cross-sectional configuration in size and shape as that of the passageway or bore 52 in the shank portion 42 of the bushing 34. An outer or trailing portion of the shank 88 is finished with relatively sharp corners 90 as shown in FIG. 3 so that this portion is securely gripped and retained by the internal side walls of the bushing 36 for preventing relative rotation between the pin member 38 and the bushing 36. However, an elongated entering end portion of the shank 88 is formed with beveled or relieved corners 92 for permitting the pin member to be rotated within the bushing 34 in the manner described below.

In order to retain the pin member 38 against axial separation from the bushings, flanges 94 are formed so as to project laterally from a first pair of opposite sides of the pin member for engagement with shoulders or stop surfaces 96 provided in the bushing 36. In addition, the previously mentioned flanges 86 of the bushing 36 project toward each other so that the distance therebetween is less than the transverse dimension of the pin member 38 for enabling the flanges 86 to overlie and engage end surfaces 98 on the pin member.

An axial extension 100 is formed on the pin member for' projecting between the flanges 86. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the axial extent of the projection 100 is greater than the axial extent or thickness of the flanges 86 so that the extension 100 projects slightly axially therebeyond. This arrangement facilitates assembly of the pin member in the bushings by striking it with a mallet or the like without at the same time striking the flanges 86 of the bushing.

When the hinge is fully assembled and the door is in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elongated shank of the hinge pin mates with the interior surfaces of the bushing walls 54, 56, 58 and 60 so that the pin is held against rotation with respect to the bushing 34. At the same time the portion of the hinge pin with the sharp corners mates with the interior surfaces of the bushing 36 so that the pin is held against rotation with respect to this bushing and also with respect to the door 26. In other words, the door 26 is held in the closed position.

When it is desired to open the door, it is manually raised from the closed position shown in solid lines toward the broken line position. This swinging or pivoting action causes the bushing 36 to pivot relative to the bushing 34. Since the portion of the hinge pin 38 with the sharp comers 90 is securely and rigidly locked within the bushing 36, the hinge pin pivots with the bushing 36 relative to the bushing 34. The walls of th opening 50 through the head of the bushing 34 are sufficiently large so as to avoid interference with the pin and the pivoting movement is initially resisted by the aforementioned engagement of the walls 54-60 with the elongated portion of the pin having the beveled or rounded corners 92. These walls are, however, resilient and sufficiently yieldable so that when a predetermined amount of torque is applied to the pin, the walls yield outwardly as shown in FIG. 7 so as to permit the pivot pin to rotate relative to the bushing 34. The rounding or beveling of the corners 92 facilitates this pivoting movement Without digging into and injuring interior surfaces of the bushing walls. The aforementioned relatively thick corner portions 62-68 of the bushing shank 42 provide an initially relatively great resistance to a springing outwardly or expansion of the bushing walls for resisting initial pivoting movement of the pin while the relatively thin intermediate portions of the bushing walls facilitates expansion after rotation has been started.

It will be observed that when the pin is rotated from the door closed position shown in FIG. 5, 90 through the intermediate position shown in FIG. 6 and to the door open position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, the side surfaces of the pin will again mate with the innerside surfaces of the grommet shank walls. In other words, when the door is in an intermediate position, the grommet shank walls will be expanded as shown in FIG. 7, but when the door is in either the closed position or a 90 open position, the grommet shank walls will be in the pivot pin engaging and locking position shown in FIG. 5 Thus, the hinge device serves not only to pivotally connect the door with the cabinet structure, but also releasably to hold the door in the open position as well as in the closed position.

In FIGS. 8 through 14 there is shown a hinge device incorporating a modified form of the present invention, which device is similar to the structure described above as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the sufiix a added to corresponding elements. The structure of this embodiment functions in essentially the same manner as the device described above and differs primarily in the manner in which the pivot pin and bushings are retained in the assembled relationship.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-14, the bushing 34a is assembled with the flange 30a in essentially the same manner as the corresponding bushing described above except that the previously mentioned retaining lugs 48 may be omitted. However, the bushing 36a is formed so that it is adapted to be inserted through the opening and the flange 32a in the same direction as the bushing 34a rather than in the opposite direction as is the case in the previously described embodiment. Again the retaining lugs may be omitted from the bushing 36a if desired.

The pivot pin 38a is assembled with the bushings in much the same manner as the previously described pin except that it extends entirely through the bushing 34a and is provided With an annular groove 102 at its entering end for receiving and cooperating with inturned flange segments 104 separated by slots 106 at the entering end of the bushing shank 42a. The pin is formed with a pointed or beveled entering end 108 which is adapted to be snapped through the resilient fiange segments 104 which then engage an annular shoulder 110 at the trailing side of the end portion 108 for preventing axial withdrawal of the pin 38a. An enlarged head 94a at the opposite end of the pin engages an end of the bushing 36a for not only retaining the bushing, but also for preventing the pin from passing entirely through the bushing. It will be observed that the bushing 36a is symmetrically formed so that either end may be inserted through the opening in the flange 32a.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is as follows:

1. A hinge device for pivotally connecting first and second members for relative pivotal movement between first and second relative positions in an installation wherein said first member comprises a frame defining an opening and said second member comprises a closure for said opening, comprising a first bushing mountable in an aperture in said first member and adapted to be fixed against rotation relative to said first member, said bushing including a shank portion projecting axially of said aperture and having an axially extending bore of non-circular transverse cross-section and defined by resiliently yieldable side portions, a pivot pin including a shank portion extending into said bore, and means mountable in an aperture in said second member for connecting said pin to said second member and for fixing said pin against rotation relative to said second member, said pin shank portion having a non-circular cross-section presenting sides in interfering engagement with said resiliently yieldable side portions of said bushing for releasably resisting relative rotation between said pin and said bushing and thus between said members, said bushing side portions being responsive to the application of at least a predetermined torque for resiliently yielding to permit said relative rotation during relative movement of said members between said first and second positions.

2. A hinge device, as defined in claim 1, wherein said bushing and pin shank portions have a polygonal transverse cross-section presenting substantially flat interfering sides.

3. A hinge device, as defined in claim 2, wherein said pin shank portion includes relieved corners between said generally fiat sides thereof.

4. A hinge device, as defined in claim 2, wherein said bushing shank portion includes relatively thick rigid corner sections between and joining said yieldable side portions.

5. A hinge device, as defined in claim 2, wherein said bushing and pin shank portions have a generally square transverse cross-section.

6. A hinge device for pivotally connecting first and second members for relative pivotal movement between first and second relative positions, comprising a first bushing mountable in an aperture in said first member and adapted to be fixed against rotation relative to said first member, said bushing including a shank portion having an axially extending bore of non-circular transverse crosssection and defined by resiliently yieldable side portions, a pivot pin including a shank portion extending into said bore, and means for connecting said pin to said second member and for fixing said pin against rotation relative to said second member, said pin shank portion having a non-circular cross-section presenting sides in interfering engagement with said resiliently yieldable side portions of said bushing for releasably resisting relative rotation between said pin and said bushing and thus between said members, said bushing side portions being responsive to the application of at least a predetermined torque for resiliently yielding to permit said relative rotation during relative movement of said members between said first and second positions, said means connecting the pin to said second member comprising a second bushing including a shank portion having a bore therein and mountable in an aperture in said second member, said second bushing and said pin including relatively rigid interengaging surfaces positively preventing relative rotation between said second bushing and said pin.

7. A hinge device, as defined in claim 6, for an installation wherein said first member comprises a frame defining an opening and said second member comprises a door for said opening, said frame and door including opposed spaced apart sections having aligned apertures therein for receiving said first and second bushings, said bushings including head portions for engaging sides of said frame and door sections and from which their respective shank portions extend, said head portions being disposed in immediately adjacent substantially abutting relationship and said shank portions projecting in opposite directions when said bushings are assembled in said sections of the frame and door.

8. A hinge device, as defined in claim 7, wherein said bushings respectively include laterally projecting lugs on their shank portions axially offset from their respective heads for engagement with said frame and door sections oppositely from their respective heads.

9. A hinge device, as defined in claim 8, which includes interengaging shoulder means between said second bushing and said pin for retaining said pin against axial displacement.

10. A hinge device, as defined in claim 6, for installation in a structure wherein said first member cornprises a frame defining an opening and said second member comprises a door for said opening, said frame and door having opposed sections with aligned apertures therein for respectively receiving first and second bushings, said bushings respectively including head portions for engaging sides of said frame and door sections and from which their respective shank portions project, said shank 5 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1904 Mackinder 16-142 1/1918 Simmons 16l42 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner D. L. TROUTMAN, Assistant Examiner 

